• Day Trip,  Hikes,  Illinois,  Kids

    Giant City State Park – Devil’s Standtable and Indian Creek Nature Trails

    Giant City State Park is one of the best state parks in all of Illinois. The park is filled with huge and rugged rock formations. All of the trails have something to offer, but two of the shortest and most kid-friendly trails at the park are the Devil’s Standtable Trail and the Indian Creek Shelter Nature Trail. Giant City Devil’s Standtable Trail The Devil’s Standtable Trail is located just down the road from the popular Giant City Nature Trail. The…

  • Day Trip,  Hikes,  Illinois,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis,  Trips

    7 Great Day Trips from St. Louis

    Spring break and summer vacation are right around the corner. If you are looking to stay closer to home this year, here is a roundup of several great destinations all less than two hours from St. Louis. Load up the kids, pack all the snacks, and head out to explore these great destinations. * Be sure to check the websites of attractions before visiting for up to date COVID restrictions or closures. Ste. Genevieve, Missouri Take a trip just one…

  • History,  Illinois,  Kids,  St. Louis

    French Colonial History Comes Alive at Illinois’s Fort de Chartres

    Rising from the farm fields in southern Illinois is an impressive stone fortress celebrating 300 years of history. Long before the United States was established, the French ruled over southern Illinois. The proximity to the Mississippi River, the hunt for precious metals, and the rich farm ground established this area as of strategic importance. Fort de Chartres is one of the best historic sites in the state and recreates this era of Illinois’s history under French rule. History of the…

  • Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  St. Louis,  Trips

    Pere Marquette -Illinois’s Largest State Park

    Pere Marquette is one of the very best parks in the state of Illinois. Over 8,000 acres of lush forests and rugged hills are waiting to be explored just an hour north of St. Louis along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Fall brings a spectacular display of colorful foliage while winter is prime time for eagle watching. The expansive views and overlooks of the Illinois River and its backwaters can be viewed any time of year.…

  • Day Trip,  Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids

    Ferne Clyffe State Park – A Secret Oasis in Southern Illinois

    Many people think of Illinois as “flyover country.” They believe the state is nothing but flat and boring farm fields as far as the eye can see. While much of the state is geographically monotonous, far southern Illinois is drastically different. This rugged area is known as the Illinois Ozarks. Rising bluffs, trickling waterfalls, and jagged rocks create a lush and varied landscape worthy of exploration. Tucked away near the bottom of the state, Ferne Clyffe State Park has been…